Five alternative school students – three of whom participated in graduation this week – have been recognized as the first-ever Charlie Award winners for academic and other achievements.

Seniors Sean Morris, Calvin Weed, Dalton McHugh and Johanna Medrano along with juniors Alec Varney and Stephani Bahde each received a Charlie Award, created and awarded in honor of the late Charles F. Fernandez.

“If you knew Charlie well, you knew that he was a man of unwavering principle and integrity, willing to tell the real story, without sugarcoating it, to anyone that would listen,” Charles F. Fernandez Center (CFC) Principal Jesse Jackson said.

“The story of his resilience and success in the face of adversity is the inspiration in all of us to come back every day hoping for every student to show that glimmer of hope and choose to better themselves through education.

“Many of the students we celebrate are those that demonstrate true resilience either through humor, studious behavior, compassion for others, or standing up for someone in need in the toughest of circumstance,” he said.

The Fernandez Center provides alternative education paths for students who may not be as successful in a traditional high school setting. In some cases, that means working and doing community service projects while attending school. Regardless of the path, the Charlie Award recognizes the efforts and resulting success of students who persevere and can serve as role models to others who may be struggling.

“The winners of ‘The Charlie’ should be very proud as they exhibit excellent attendance, model behaviors in the classroom (even when others may not be making the best choices), and they all place their education in the highest regard,” Jackson said.

“Simply put, they do not take their time at CFC for granted,” he said. “Charlie would have been very proud of the ‘can-do’ attitude of these resilient, compassionate and civil-minded students.”

When accepting the awards at a recent Stevens Point Area Public School District Board meeting, each of the winners beamed, even if only for a moment before becoming shy or self-conscious. Each expressed a wealth of pride and accomplishment later, though.

“It gives me a boost of confidence,” Morris said. “I see myself achieving my goals … I want to thank my teachers for believing in me.”

Morris, who enjoys basketball and farm work and graduated during the Fernandez Center ceremony Thursday, May 26. He plans to enter the U.S. Army.

“Sean epitomizes what makes a good student and citizen,” teacher Steven Sorensen said, pointing to his understanding of hard work, setting goals and working towards them.

“His greatest strength is his persistence to overcome adversity,” he said. “When frustrated he will quickly acknowledge his frustration and move past it … Sean’s an awesome person who will go far with the many skills that he has developed and is developing.”

Weed, McHugh and Medrano, all of whom also graduated during Thursday’s ceremony, follow suit.

Weed did not care about school when he attended Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) and had a slow start at Fernandez Center.

“Slowly my attitude changed, and I liked coming and doing my work at CFC,” he said. “All staff wanted me to succeed … (I) could really tell that they cared. This makes me feel different as I am one of the first to get this award. It’s better than any medal in any sport.”

Weed went from sleeping in class when he did show up to finishing his high school career taking an advanced placement class at SPASH.

“Wow,” said teacher Nicole Batzel. “Calvin has blossomed into a highly personable and confident young man who is in charge of his future.”

“I witnessed Calvin become a leader among his peers as well,” teacher Heather Smigaj said. “Calvin is that one of a kind person you are lucky to meet.”

McHugh is another who showed little academic drive, Smigaj said, and turned that around, taking initiative to ask questions.

“He works harder than possibly any student I have ever encountered. He is a kind soul and anyone who crosses his path will be fortunate for having met him,” she said.

McHugh credits the teachers. “When I came here I didn’t have a lot of credits which made me feel like graduating wasn’t an option, but I was wrong. People believed in me, and they helped me through it all,” he said.

“Charlie was an inspiration to everyone at Fernandez Center, and he never judged anyone,” McHugh said. “He was here for us. Winning this award means I can do things I want if I work hard enough to earn them. Things won’t be given to me, but I can make them happen if I believe in myself.”

Smigaj also taught Medrano, who came to Fernandez Center on her own to complete her education.

“There wasn’t a moment that she didn’t stay true to herself concerning this path,” she said. “She is an excellent role model academically and socially. Johanna (is) graduating this year and unlike many of us, she did it relying on herself and herself only.”

Medrano counters that, saying the school and teachers allowed her to work at her own pace and provided much needed help whenever she asked.

“There’s a lot of support and motivation going around, it wasn’t rushed or pushed,” she said. “Charles Fernandez is definitely a special place.”

Though juniors this year, Bahde and Varney are both on their way to success, and well-deserving of the Charlie Award honors, their teachers say.

“Stephanie is a one-of-a-kind student that truly enjoys learning and appreciates her education,” teacher Gabrielle Goes said. “Her enthusiasm and willingness to learn is a trait all teachers admire in their students.”

Bahde said the small class sizes and the close-knit groups have decreased her anxiety, allowed her to feel more accepted, more positive and focus on her education.

“The staff are amazing, the principal actually shows he cares and obviously is concerned about the students’ well-being,” she said. “Even after receiving (the award), I feel like I haven’t done enough … getting it tells me that my work has paid off and been recognized, though I still need to do more.”

Varney, too, has taken a new approach to learning, one that helped him pass all of his classes without any extensions and also allowed him to take an additional class this semester.

“Besides his academic success and the confidence it has given him, as a teacher, it has also been a great joy to see Alec discover a love for reading,” Batzel said. “And no matter what is going on Alec will always go out of his way to say ‘hi’ and make sure you are doing well.”

The youngest in the group at 16, Varney said the programming has helped him realize how important education is in life.

“No matter how tough it gets, you just have to fight through it,” he said. “I didn’t realize I was doing that well, but it means that I’m not a failure, and that plaque proves it.”

The six Charlie winners are a good representation of the population of Fernandez Center, and their accomplishments are a light for other students’ to follow, and a wonderful way to honor Charles Fernandez, Jackson said.

“Not everyone can be a ‘Charlie,’ and many of us could never come close,” he said. “That’s OK, because there really is just one Charlie, and he would want us to find our own path.”